The silent killer still lurking in homes

As a result of poor housing development, many people are worried about the lead content in their homes. It's the silent killer that lives in people's homes, and yet, very few people know it exists.

"It can cause brain and liver damage, it can cause behavioral problems," said Stephanie Smelnick from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Their program is trying to eradicate homes across the state of lead poisoning. 

"The Lead-Safe Program is HUD's attempt to clean up property that are built prior to 1978 when lead was inside of the paint," Smelnick said.

Older homes in poorer neighborhoods are at most risk, and so are Arizona's youngest. 

"Lead paint can be damaging to children under the age of six," Smelnick said.

The walls, the dust and even the floor can be poisonous for young children. Sunaina Tandon, a young homeowner who bought in a poor neighborhood, had to check for lead poisoning before moving. 

"I could only afford so much so to me it was really important that I had the house or apartment checked for lead poisoning because I am around children so often," Tandon said. " I do babysit and I nanny and I also have a 3-year-old brother, so to me it's really important we deal with this issue."

Smelnick says the problem has to be combatted from both sides. Not only does there need to be awareness of lead in homes, but doctors should also automatically check children for lead poisoning.